Mallya declared proclaimed offender by special PMLA court

New Delhi, June 14: In what could give the Enforcement Directorate a shot in the arm, the special Prevention of Money Laundering Court has declared liquor baron, Vijay Mallya a proclaimed offender.

The court passed the order following an application filed by the Enforcement Directorate which is probing the IDBI bank loan fraud case.

The order was passed by the court under Section 8 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act or the PMLA. With this order the ED can make out a strong case seeking the extradition of Mallya who is said to be in the United Kingdom.

An ED official informed OneIndia that they are preparing the case files to seek the extradition of Mallya and this order would come in handy.

The ED had moved the Special PMLA court seeking to declare Mallya a proclaimed offender. The ED said that Mallya is not cooperating with the investigation and is wilfully avoiding questioning and also arrest.

Hence an order declaring him a proclaimed offender may be passed, the ED requested the court.

The PMLA Act states that once a a person is declared a proclaimed offender, the Special Court can on the request of the ED can pass orders regarding confiscation of property or additional attachment of the same.